It is no secret that Ford is one of those manufacturers that manages to convey a special touch to its models, a common and shared essence throughout its entire catalog of products that makes them recognizable. In this case, that distinctive essence is the sportiness in its handling. An almost universal virtue in the blue oval vehicles is their recognizable driving dynamism, a well-kept secret that for years has been applied and characterizes many of the American manufacturer’s cars destined for the European market.
Even in vehicles that, due to their architecture and configuration or philosophy, should not – a priori – stand out for their sportiness (such as the minivans from the C-Max, S-Max or Galaxy saga) or the sedans and estate cars of the different generations of the Mondeo, Ford was capable of giving them a surprising, almost inappropriate degree of agility.
This dynamic “stamp” in its tuning reached its maximum level in the admired ST versions that had once been part of the Fiesta, Focus or Mondeo ranges. Not to mention the most extreme and performance RS variants, objects of true veneration by the most “visceral” driving enthusiasts.
Well, it is fair to recognize that that sporting spirit with which the brand had achieved the best “spicy” compacts and subcompacts on the market is still alive and well visible in the Puma ST, not only for its appearance, but for its playful behavior and its estimable qualities to enjoy behind the wheel on a winding road. Ford’s B-segment SUV in its most stimulating finish is animated by one of the usual light hybridization solutions that are so in vogue today.
It is a three-cylinder, one-liter engine with the well-known Ecoboost technology assisted by an electric motor with a 48 V battery that provides 16 HP and 50 Nm of additional torque. The contribution does not seem like much but it is especially noticeable when it comes to “helping” the engine to deliver power at low and medium speeds and also to reduce energy requirements in calm driving.
The overall performance is 170 HP and 248 Nm, not inconsiderable figures for a rather “austere” combination, with a battery of modest capacity. Although the best thing about the Puma ST is not its engine, which provides unquestionably effective performance, but the tuning of its chassis, very well tuned to display fast, vibrant, determined and decisive driving even in sections of very tight curves.
The result obtained on the asphalt after “tickling” this car cannot be described as anything other than brilliant, with a surprising capacity for grip and traction despite the fact that the Continental SportContact fitted to the unit tested suffered. The truth is that the poise is excellent at all times – it does not dislodge in weight transitions, nor in braking at the limit – and its footprint is firm and convincing, always guided by where its direction points, also endowed with a tact and remarkable precision.
Its dual-clutch automatic transmission with seven Powershift ratios also reacts adequately and only when the speed is high and a reduction is intended to be forced, it “does what it can” and ‘ignores’ the driver’s will to protect the mechanics, but, Overall its operation is more than optimal. Nor is the mechanical sound out of place for being a three-cylinder, and the exhaust system even gives us some “backfires” when releasing the accelerator.
All this is also supported by its good efficiency credentials. After a trip of just over 200 km, we credited 7.5 liters on average while driving on the highway at speeds always below the legal ones in ECO mode. The average doubled to 15 liters in mountain sections – some of them were part of the most legendary asphalt Rallyes of Catalonia – in which demand was more than intensive, almost extreme… The global count quickly stabilized around the 10 liters completed the “stress test” in Sport mode.
In short, this Puma is an ST through and through, both for the fun it provides to its driver and the feeling of lightness it transmits (despite exceeding 1,400 kg and well hiding the greater volume and height typical of an SUV) but also for the specific components it mounts. Highlights include fantastic Recaro sports seats, with exceptional lateral grip, and other details inspired by competition, such as the double exhaust outlet, the exterior aesthetic accessories or the successful functionality of the central screen with sections of ascending lights in orange and red colors. depending on the engine revolutions, in the purest racing style.
